/world sport
LONDON, England -- Chelsea will go into Saturday's Premier League title showdown against Manchester United without grieving midfielder Frank Lampard, whose mother died on Thursday.
Lampard is mourning the death of his mother and will miss Chelsea's title showdown against Manchester United.
England international Lampard, 29, missed the recent Premier League games against Wigan and Everton after his 58-year-old mother Pat was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
He then resumed training earlier this week ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League semifinal first leg at Liverpool after his mother had showed signs of positive improvement -- only for her condition to deteriorate rapidly.
A statement from Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, read: "It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Pat Lampard passed way.
"Frank would like to acknowledge and say thank you for the compassion shown to him by the manager Avram Grant and all the staff at Chelsea Football Club during what has been a terribly traumatic period for him and his family.
"Frank and his family would also like to thank all the people who have been inundating them with wishes of support," added Kutner.
Pat Lampard was wife to Frank senior, the former West Ham and England defender, while her sister married Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, who is the father of ex-Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
It is also uncertain whether Lampard will feature in Wednesday night's Champions League semifinal second leg, with the tie delicately poised at 1-1.
A statement from Chelsea read: "Everybody at Chelsea Football Club is absolutely devastated to hear the tragic news of the passing away of Pat Lampard, Frank's mother.
"Our sincerest and deepest condolences go out to Frank, his father Frank senior, sisters Natalie and Claire, and to their immediate family and friends. The club will be offering all the support it can to Frank and his family at this time."
On the pitch, meanwhile, Chelsea need to beat United if they are to join them at the top of the table, with the gap currently three points with three games left to play.
However, United's goal difference is far superior to Chelsea's, meaning United could lose and win their remaining two matches to clinch the title.
United are likely to be without central defender Nemanja Vidic, who missed the Champions League draw at Barcelona because of a stomach virus. "Nemanja went 36 hours without eating," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "I don't think he'll be ready for Saturday."
United wingers Ryan Giggs and Nani came on as late substitutes against Barcelona and may well start at Stamford Bridge.
Third-placed Arsenal do not play until Monday and will be mathematically out of contention if United beat Chelsea. The Gunners visit bottom side Derby, already sure of relegation.
Meanwhile, second-bottom Fulham will be relegated if they lose at Manchester City and the three teams above, Birmingham, Reading and Bolton, all win. E-mail to a friend 
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